Domaine Pierre Gaillard, St. Joseph, Clos de Cuminaille 2019
Appellation: St. Joseph
Region: Northern Rhône
Country: France
Color: Red
Varietal(s): 100% Syrah
About The Producer
Pierre Gaillard is considered one of France's top wine producers in the Northern Rhone. His business is centered in the medieval town of Malleval. His first acquisition was a parcel of land in the St Joseph appellation, "Le Clos de Cuminaille."Terroir & Vineyard Practices:
The Clos de Cuminaille is one of the most privileged sites of St Joseph. It's a mere 3 ha east-facing, walled, single vineyard in Chavanay whose signature wine is one of the most distinctive and delicious wines of the St Joseph appellation each year. The soil is composed of light, permeable granite sands. Gaillard cleared and planted the site in 1981.Tasting Notes
Clos de Cuminaille (100% Syrah) is Pierre Gaillard’s signature wine. A distinctive and delicious, rich wine with earth and meaty notes sourced from one vineyard. A wine with good freshness, but also excellent aging potential.Vinification
Hand-harvested and sorted. Total destemming. Cold maceration before and after fermentation. The fermenting must is cap-punched three times a day and pumped over at least once a day. These techniques ensure the good extraction of tannins and aromatic substances. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in oak barrels. Aged 18-20 months in fine oak barrels (40% new) with oxygenation every 4 months.Press
- 94 points – Decanter: “Beautiful combination of fresh blackberry, bacon fat and cinnamon spice. This is rounded, concentrated and elegant on the palate. No excess weight or alcohol, lovely deep-set acidity and a long finish. An exceptional vintage for Cuminaille. Such a beautiful wine, as good as many Côte-Rôties this year. Smart buy. A 3ha plot in Chavanay grown on granite planted in 1981. All destemmed. Aged for 18 months in barriques, 40% new. Drink 2021-2027.”-Matt Walls, Decanter